Colleagues pay tribute to police officer killed on A249

Emergency services at the scene of the fatality. Picture: Barry Crayford

Colleagues have been paying tribute to police officer Philip Pratt who died when he was struck by a vehicle on the A249.

PC Pratt was putting traffic diversions in place at the dual carriageway's junction with the A2 at Bobbing, near Sittingbourne when the incident happened at around 8am Sunday.

Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Leppard said on Monday: "Philip was 26 years old with his whole life ahead of him and that is what makes this all the more tragic.

"He died representing everything we stand for. He was serving in the line of duty trying to protect the public. His loss will not just be felt by us in Kent but the service nationally. Our thoughts are now with his friends and family."

Watch the full statement from Deputy Chief Constable Adrian Leppard

An investigation is under way after the incident. Mr Leppard said he could not comment further on that investigation.

He added: "His enthusiasm and ability won him praise from colleagues and members of the public.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends at this tragic time."

PC Philip Pratt - who was based at Sittingbourne - was treated by paramedics at the scene before being airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

He was working to divert traffic after a crash nearby around half an hour earlier. A woman was cut free from the wreckage of an overturned car on the Sheerness-bound stretch. She was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

A driver who was on the scene shortly after the first accident happened has told how she talked to the 21-year-old woman.

The witness, who did not want to be named, said although she didn't see the accident, she was right behind it and was on the scene before paramedics and police arrived.

She said: "We saw four of the five people crawl out of the car - they were very distressed. I went to the aid of the girl trapped in the car, I held her hand and was trying to keep her talking. It was pretty scary."

The witness also said that she didn't see PC Pratt get hit by the car - but saw him in the road afterwards. "We went past the scene as we were moved on - it was not a nice sight to see," she said.